I love that Unicorn Cosplayer was so well loved. As I was replaying I just wished I had made them in more colors. But now I wonder if his desires to escape might not have manifested in omni presence and he was able to escape without leaving his cell.

-”Enjoy your meal.” The middle aged waitress said as she came over to the table with the ordered breakfast.Inspector Henry Lambright pulled his tray closer and gazed at the contents of his plate. Eggs and bacon, even some sausages and beans. The worst kind of breakfast really, but the best for a hard working man like him. Or well, some days at least. It made sense that his captain had let himself go a bit since leaving the field. -”Are you sure you don’t want something?” Henry asked his colleague Izzie. He couldn’t quite remember her surname, for some reason it never stuck.-”I’m super fine thanks.” Izzie started and leaned back with her coffee in both hands. “But go ahead and eat.”Henry didn’t need to be told twice and dug in and savoring the greasy taste. Izzie was still young, she would appreciate a real breakfast more after some more years on the force. -”Turn that up will ya?” One of the customers called from a different table, barely worth calling a commotion in a diner like this. The waitress stretched to reach the radio behind the counter, a little too much to some guests’ amusement. But the volume of the radio quickly increased and if anyone snickered it was drowned by the newscast.-”...vigilante interfered with the mugging before the victim was harmed and left the perpetrators tied up to a lamppost. This is not the first time listeners contact the studio about this maniac with a golden heart so let’s be glad she’s on our side and not the gangs.”

-”That chick is making it seem like we’re not doing our jobs.” Izzie complained as she listened to the chitchat from some of the other customers. Henry really couldn’t care less, he knew about the so-called vigilante who went by the name The Dragon, which made him remember something.-”Do you know what they called her before they came up with ‘The Dragon’?” He swallowed hard before continuing, seeing Izzie’s disgusted face as he spoke with food in his mouth. -”They called her Loong Fu, convinced that she was Asian or something - and that she used some self-taught karate to beat up the thugs. Wasn’t until later when she was shot and started carrying herself that people went with the new one.”-”Still, having a vigilante carrying a gun to enforce some sort of personal justice is crazy right?” Izzie said while casually grabbing one of his sausages to go with the bread she nicked earlier. -”Well, less paperwork for us really.” He glared at her. Every damn time, they would go grab a bite but she would insist she was good and then steal his food like a damn vulture. “Besides, that is hardly crazy in this little town.” Henry finished and continued to devour his paid meal. -”Still, maybe we should investigate who she is, bring her in or something?” Izzie continued, oblivious to the pain and suffering she caused her colleague. -”Or maybe not.” He said and pointed out the window where a man was fastening flyers to the posts on the street. “Is that the same kid as before or do we have another one at our hands?”Izzie got up and peered through the store window and then came back shaking her head.-”Sorry Hal, that’s a new one.” She said upset. -”Damn, that makes this eleven or something right?” He suddenly felt a bit queasy and pushed his plate away. “Where the hell are all those kids going? Serial killer or something?”-”I don’t know, but it’s our job to find out.” Izzie said, prodding his plate for more food.-”I just wish we could rule out the impossible to find the improbable truth.” Henry said and sighed, scratching the back of his head, he really wanted a smoke right now.-”But that’s just not happening in Spring Valley.”

I told my parents expecting them to try to talk me out of my lifelong goal. Instead the fools disregarded my concern as hormonal paranoia. When I started this I just wanted them to be cool with it… I don’t know any longer.

I tried to get more information out of the traveling merchant, about what kind of world he came from. I might be a terrible person for assuming that someone with the head of a bird isn’t from my plane: But really, what do I care at this point? My effort was fruitless however, the merchant is a merchant and the information I seek is far more valuable than any tome. I need to find something I can trade with him.

School is coming to an end, after this I can finally live as I please. No more going to class to watch apes trying to learn basic facts about the world seen as absolute values. Schools are so outdated! We already know that most of these things are relative and not absolute, and the distortion zones only proves that further! What sort of world do we live in when school is a conservative institution? I bet it’s because our former minister of education was a member of the Veiled Cross.

As I entered the Shifting Alley today I noticed a pack of Goblims gathered in a formation. It seems they treat that place as some sort of sacred grounds. I don’t really get it but I heard the words “Zardon” chanted over and over. It’s weird to see Goblims clad in robes and manipulating the arcane like myself, but why did they come here?

My guide is still trying to talk me down from pursuing this issue further. I appreciate his concern but his increasing pleading of me to slow down and find enlightenment through tranquility is starting to bug me. I asked him if the great scientists from the past just leaned back and let revelations come to them. He smiled and said yes, such a jerk…

Yet another paradox happened today. While using my powers in the Shifting Alley a portal opened and pulled in something from a different world. It was a small monster of no note but realizing the danger it posed I smashed it into billions of pieces with an arcane shock. Is it me fumbling my spells? Or is it that something else using me as a conduit for its own powers?

We had final exams at the school today, one of my classmates asked me if I could use my powers to steal the key to the test. I could, I really could, little effort involved. However, I can’t use my powers that irresponsibly. If I make a connection here then a new distortion zone can manifest here as well. I didn’t say that however, I just told him that he wouldn’t need it if he had studied like he should.

Last night was a full moon, note to self. Avoid arcane unstable areas during full moons. I had a run in with some sort of sorcerer. Now, I’m a mage myself at this point, but the way it used the arcane. It was… Inspiring. I don’t quite get where that level of control comes from, I still have much to learn. I must learn.

My guide has a hypothesis. I disagree with it but I can’t be certain. According to this hypothesis, the reason for the increased weird happening is me. That’s what he’s been hiding from me all this time, he blames me for all the creatures, the meatball hailstorm, my missing peers and the instability of the energies. I hope he’s wrong.

Who the hell invented fish taco?! Sure I’m not from around here but don’t go giving me a stupid fish taco! Sometimes I just hate mankind! But then I remember that there must be more like me out there. People better than the average man looking for the answers to the big questions.

Acting on the hypothesis of my guide I’m taking a trip to a different distortion zone, this one in the forest close to the Glimmering Cave. I believe my guide’s mentoring is wrong however. My own hypothesis is that the wizard who died in the Shifting Alley all those years ago remains as a sliver of the evil he was. That must be what’s causing this, the resonance of a powerful user of the arcane.

Our cops return and give us a funny little insight into what a super hero must endure in Spring Valley before she establishes her name lol

"My teacher is a sadist teaching backwards stuff because he must be a member of the Order of The Veiled Cross" Made me laugh. I am now convinced the protagonist in Notes on The Grimoire is not Blimrif. They seem as arrogant and self confident but they are traveling in circles that make me think OC or something. Then again we don't meet Blim unless we do all the bonus stuff and she was technically the last character in our party so there is alot she could have done before meeting Joel, but I'm banking on it not being her.

-”You’re late to the party.” Said the officer kneeling over the corpse of a young woman. Inspector Lambright knew who it was. Not the victim: the officer of course. -”Good to see you back in action Flynnt.” Henry said, crushing his cigarette in the ashtray on a nearby table. -”Do you really mean that or are you being dick again Hal?” Flynnt asked as he turned towards him, the man towered Henry without even trying. Henry gave a friendly smile regardless, he doubted even Flynnt would do anything that stupid. -”Truest honest, really. I can’t even imagine what that freak accident was like. Turned into a pig or what was it?” Henry said and flipped his notepad out as Flynnt’s face showed clear frustration at him even knowing that much.-”Keep it down you dolt, it’s not something the entire district need to know about, capiche?” Although his face was hard there was something vulnerable about the way he said it, even big men had to keep up appearances. -”Don’t worry about me saying a thing. You’re a braver man than me Flynnt,” Henry began and attempted to pat his shoulder but thought better of it. “I never would’ve chased a thug into the Shifting Alley, I stay away as much as possible really.”Flynnt seemed satisfied with that and motioned to the body. -”Janitor found the body two hours back, called us and we secured the crime scene. Jane Doe, around thirty, not an employee here. The quick evaluation says punction marks.” Flynnt preached as Henry was occupied doing his thing, looking at objects, noticing details, scribbling down questions. The important stuff. He kneeled down at one of the display cases, clearly broken by the shards of glass scattered across the floor of the museum.-”Do we know who she is?” Henry asked as he got back to his feet.-”I just told you…” Flynnt replied, creasing his brow. -”I believe you, but recap it for me please.” Henry said, waving his arm to disarm the situation, it didn’t work but Flynnt was a square and obeyed. -”Jane Doe, thirty something. Not an employee here.” He said once more making sure Henry was paying attention this time. -”Well damn, then this will probably take a while. Could you fax me the photos later?” Henry said and pointed at the crime scene photographer, some new guy he hadn’t seen around before.-”Of course, are you leaving?” Flynnt asked, looking surprised that the inspector’s stay didn’t last longer, this was a murder investigation after all. -”Yeah, I’ll let the desk rats do their thing first. Wouldn’t want to go out there chasing the wrong lead in vain. I’ll keep in touch.”

-”Hal, get your damn fax already!” Captain Beiler howled from the break room as the beeping of the fax machine had been going on for a good three minutes. -”I’m on my goddamn way!” Henry called back, sitting with his legs on the desk and cleaning his gun. He wasn’t really on his way but he didn’t get what everyone was so stressed out about all the time. This was Spring Valley, the moment you felt like you had a case under control something weird would happen and you had to start over. -”Hal!” Izzie called from a desk nearby and threatened him with the baseball stored on her desk next to her nametag.Henry sighed, putting down the pieces gently while getting to his feet and making his way over to the fax machine. There were a lot of papers in the machine, the weight had reached its limit, therefore the beeping. Fax machines were stupid after all, Henry wished someone would invent something better, and soon. All this walking was tiresome. -”Oh my god!” He exclaimed as he looked closer at the papers.-”What’s wrong?” Izzie asked curiously, but not enough to move her *** from her desk.-”These pictures are terrible, look at this Izzie! Did we even pay the guy?” He replied, waving the faxed photos in her direction, she didn’t have the slightest chance to see of course but the gesture was a statement more than anything else. -”Could you get Flynnt on the line for me?” He continued as he flipped through the pages.-”Are you only going to complain about the pictures?” Izzie asked sarcastically, of course lost on the distracted inspector. -”No, it’s about the case, could use someone to come along with me for this.” Henry said and went back to his desk with the papers. Izzie shook her head but grabbed the phone from the desk and gave the call.

-”You better have a good reason for this.” Flynnt said cynically to Henry as the two men were crammed into a tight stinky alley. Henry sighed at his colleague’s disbelief and tried to show him his notepad but failed, he had a smoke in his hand and didn’t want to let it go just yet. As he realized he would have to use words it seemed like too much of a hassle and decided to skip that.-”Hal?” Flynnt asked again, getting annoyed by the silent treatment. -”Just trust me, okay?”-”Not really in the mood for that.”-”Then just be a man about it.”-”How is this banter any better than just telling me?”-”You’ll know soon enough.”True to his words, the suspected assailant appeared around the corner, no wait that was just a cat. Some more minutes passed but then their target showed up.A robed figure came walking down the streets and opened the back door to the museum right before their eyes. He turned around to make sure the coast was clear before entering and then went out of sight. -”That’s our cue.” Henry said and dislodged from the alley to follow with Flynnt in tow. -”Let’s call for backup.” Flynnt stated bluntly-”We parked a block away Flynnt, We’re missing our shot here man.” Henry earned himself a glare but didn’t really care, they had to move: Even Flynnt realized that. They looked around cautiously before entering the back door.

It was after closing hours so there were no one inside, well except for the robed person. They had given them a head start and was now tracking whoever it was. -”Something up ahead.” Flynnt whispered as they rounded the corner of one of the hallways leading to an exhibition. The comment itself was completely pointless though since the entire exhibition hall was glaring a mean red from symbols engraved in the center of the room.Henry held his tongue though, because he realized what this was and felt that was more appropriate to address.-”It’s a goddamn necromancer!” Henry exclaimed, under his breath, but with serious indignation. -”How can you tell?” Flynnt whispered sheepishly, earning him quite the look from the inspector. All the while the chanting of the suspect continued and the red symbols started appearing across one of the fossils in the room. -”Look at his fingers, or I don’t know, look at that huge animal skeleton he’s trying to bring back to life!” Henry replied with frustration as he tried to make up a plan in his head. -”Oh, right.” Flynnt answered and made sure the safety of his gun was off. “Want me to take the shot?” -”No, it won’t work. Gotta catch him by surprise and from behind I think.” Henry answered and pulled his own gun.-”You think?” -”Well it’s either necromancers or warlocks, can’t really keep those separate Flynnt.”-”Seriously? It’s not exactly small potatoes at the moment Hal.” -”Who cares? Shooting the other one in the back of the head will do the job as well, just stay with me and we’ll end this. -”We’re not arresting him?”-”No!” Henry looked to the sky to save him from this man. “It’s a necromancer, not a misunderstood housewife” Let’s go.

The two officers hugged the wall and split up, one to take position behind the suspect and the other to set a distraction. Bt they were running out of time, the red light was spreading through the bones of the skeleton one by one to the sound of the robed figure. Henry was hiding behind a display case as he gave Flynnt the signal. At the sight of that signal Flynnt aimed and turned on one of the spotlight right at the face of the necromancer. What they didn’t count on was that the light would be blinding to everyone in the dark room, but Henry scrambled to his feet, raised his gun with both hands right behind the robed figure and pulled the trigger. The entire museum went quiet, actually it didn’t get more quiet but the only thing that came from Henry’s gun was a clicking sound. The gun had jammed. -”For the love of-” Henry started as he checked his weapon and remembered that goddamn fax machine. The distraction had made a mess of the assembly of the gun somehow. Now he stood right next to a dangerous magician who could make him act as a coffee table for the rest of his existence. Luckily Flynnt was at the ready and unleashed a salvo from his working gun at the necromancer. Most of the six bullets hit the figure with a wheezing sound, puncturing the robe with ease. But as Henry had mentioned before, that was not enough to end a necromancer. But it had been enough to spook him and send him running at which the symbols sparked one by one. Henry tried to chase the necromancer and grabbed onto something on the robe, but a bony tusk stopped him in his tracks. The front of a skeletal mammoth blocked his path, the arcane symbols on the bones giving them life where there was none. The back of the mammoth hadn’t been covered with symbols yet and was therefore as motionless as before. -”He got away!” Flynnt called from above, once again stating the obvious.

Henry ran with everything he had, which wasn’t much thanks to his smoking to be honest. But he did his best regardless as the bony monster followed him, the symbols glowing red in the dark room, except for that spotlight of course. -”I got this!” Flynnt called and hurled a javelin just past Henry’s face at the extinct animal.The javelin struck true and lodged itself into the bony mass of one leg, however it didn’t slow it down or anything.Henry was closing in on what he was aiming for and made a final zigzag between display cases to slow his pursuer down. The sound of glass and wood shattering told him it was somewhat working and he threw himself towards the fire extinguisher at the entrance of the hall to stand his ground. After fidgeting a bit with the lever and the instructions he unleashed a torrent of cold foam at the approaching menace. At first it didn’t seem to have any effect but as it got closer it slowed down and stopped just an inch from Henry’s shinbone with the foremost tusk. -”Quick thinking Hal!” Flynnt called as he ran over. “Of course a mammoth could be defeated by cold!”Henry let out a sigh of relief, he had survived yet another encounter with the unexpected in Spring Valley. And just at that moment of relief the lifeless fossil crumbled to the floor and the tusk smashed into his shins with a crack.Flynnt came over as Henry cried out in pain. It didn’t look too bad but was enough to earn him a ride to the hospital. They eventually found a phone, not being in abundance in museums, for backup but the necromancer was still at large. On the other hand, their adventure was over for the day. Luckily, Flynnt offered to do the paperwork while Henry recovered from his injuries, and to be honest, that was probably the biggest win today.

Boy that Henry is certainly an action survivor! Makes him a good protagonist in a place as surprisingly perilous day-to-day as Spring Valley. Poor Necromancer didn't get to see their creation in action.

Summath Island Press IIGreyspire Bussiness SectionStahlmann Steel Works will share a $1m bonus after it announced it expects profits to almost double this year.About 1,700 employees at the industry will split the payout "in recognition of their contribution".The Greyspire-based company said on Tuesday it expects to report an annual pre-tax profit of at least $20m, which is up from last year's $12m.

Over the past 12 months, Stahlmann shares have risen by nearly 150% as the firm continues to bounce back from a difficult period when sales faltered.The firm currently makes 75% of its revenues overseas, and has benefited from the weak dollar since the war.Stahlmann founded its factory and headquarters in the Ferrarum area of Greyspire in 1972.It represents one of many successful companies founded in the city and even has its own staff pub.

Summath Island PressJ. Thurman

U.F.O. Sightings in Spring Valley?Several reports on an unidentified flying object (U.F.O. for short) was called in to the police this Wednesday by several people. The police was on the case but could not conclude whether the objects was in fact from outer space or simple one of many abnormalities and paradoxes spawning from the distortion zone known as the Shifting Alley.

Eye-witness reports that it was purple and golden and came down towards the city in a speedy maneuver that seemed reckless and foolish. Exactly what the purpose of it was is still unknown.Conspiracy theorists suggests that it was merely a way for game company Charas Project inc. to advertise their coming sequel to Juno’s Odyssey. We have contacted director of the gaming studio without response.

Summath Island pressK. Abrams

Commotion when Neon City Hub International Television Broadcast Station Opened

Celebrities and local politicians was on sight for the opening of the latest TV station in Neon City Hub, always at the front of development. The project started one year ago to ensure that the daily news could be reached by all people on Summath Island and to enable the shows to be broadcasted to the rest of the country.

The audience was shocked however as the Mayor was bombed by eggs as he was cutting the ribbon to the building. The police department of Neon City revealed that the perpetrators were a group of troublemakers from one of the neighbouring cities and was detained at the site. No further comment has been given.

Regardless, the new TV Station, being the tallest building in the city, lights as a beacon to everyone in Neon city, famous for its many skyscrapers and advertisement. And hopefully it will serve as a lighthouse for the less developed neighbouring cities. Summath Island pressJ. Chian

-”Welcome to Greyspire inspector.” Greeted the local inspector, a tall woman with a ponytail.It wasn’t unheard of but Greyspire Ciry rarely contacted the Spring Valley Police Department about investigations. But it seemed like Henry Lambright had earned himself quite the reputation, or so he thought at least. The honest truth was that the acting captain at the precinct was fed up with Henry’s way of doing his job that he hoped a trip to a bigger city would do him well.-”Glad to be here.” He returned with a smirk and then remembered his manners and offered his hand. “Lambright, Henry.”-”Ann Dillinger, I’m the inspector on the case.” She replied with a friendly smile and shook the offered hand with surprising strength. Although that wasn’t really all that surprising of the people of Greyspire: nearly all of them worked in the factories or the quarry. -”I’d say it’s time for lunch but you’re in charge so where you’ll go, I guess I’ll follow.” Henry said and looked at the empty streets.-”We’ll have time for lunch later, for now we better get going before the rush hour of the first shift leaving the factories.” She said and motioned to the police car she brought.Henry smiled and savoured the last drag of his cigarette before flicking it behind him.

-”So let me get this straight, someone is breaking into this mall and stealing items from the stores?” Henry asked, with his mouth half full of the typical food stall pizza slices you could expect from a mall. -”That’s the gist of it. What makes it strange is that it’s never cash. Even if it’s easier to acquire the cash from an old safe they target specific items, mostly electronic devices such as walkmans, vacuum cleaners and the like.” Dillinger replied while sipping her lemonade.-”I see” Henry began while scribbling down some notes on his notepad while smearing tomato sauce all over it from his sticky hands. A commotion burst out nearby, immediately calling Henry to attention. But he noticed his new colleague didn’t even bat an eye at it. The commotion at hand was a group of teenagers of mixed gender hurling insults at each other. Frankly, no one seemed surprised by the behaviour. Henry had interfered in Spring Valley a few times when the gangs of Greyspire went there to make a mess, but at least then people frowned at the behaviour. Here it seemed to be too normal. -”Just some kids, no biggie.” Dillinger told him as she noticed how distracted he was.-”Sorry, just not used to it all. Malls this big, just a huge concrete block filled with stores and stalls.” He shrugged and continued.-“And it’s kinda weird to only see teenagers around, it’s like this place was made for them rather than the grown ups.”-”You aren’t entirely wrong, most of the businesses were promoted by the mayor to stop juvenile crime rates.” She started and nodded at his pizza and held up her cup. -“Cheap food, cheap entertainment, comic stores rather than book stores. Well you get it.” Henry did indeed get it, back in Spring Valley most kids hung out at the Arcade. There rarely was any problem there though since the owner, Badger, made sure everyone was on their best behaviour.And just as that thought passed through his head the power went out. At least now people reacted, although some a bit too much like sissies based on the laughter from the teenagers. -”A big deal?” He asked sarcastically, Dillinger nodded in response, although it was too dark to see.

-”They are getting bolder.” Dillinger told Henry as she returned from the security office. The power was back on, since the mall barely had any windows it had been near pitch black for around half an hour until the technicians could get the power back on. Of course another burglary had taken place. -”What was stolen this time?” Henry asked and rose from the neatly placed mall bench.Dillinger grabbed a notepad of her own and flipped through the pages. -”It seems cables and hardware equipment from the second floor store and then some newly released console games from the store down here.” She closed her pad and gave the expression like that was the most random thing ever.-”What about food?” Henry blurted out.-”As in eating more or if the perpetrators took any food?” She asked back while looking around. -”The latter, although both work really.” Dillinger didn’t take his joke and called one of the kids over by name and sent him running. -”We’ll know soon enough, sent Dex to ask.” She said and sat down on the bench prompting him to do the same. -”The kids aren’t bad.” She continued. “They just get involved in things they shouldn’t. But count on them putting the blame on one of the other gangs.” She looked at her wrist and leaned back. -”The attacks have mostly been during the night, right?” Henry inquired earning him a nod. -”And most of the time it seems to be targeted items, seemingly unrelated?” Another nod.-”And this all started some weeks backs?” Another nod.-”Then I have a hypothesis about this… Care to make a bet?” He turned towards her with a mischievous grin. -”Alright smallville, what are we betting on?” Dillinger replied with a snort.-”I’ll do the paperwork for the case if I’m wrong.” He spread his hands in a nonchalant way. “If I’m right you’ll ask your captain to send some of Greyspire’s famous donuts to my boss with a thank you-note directed to me.” -”I’m in. If you know who’s doing this and help us put a stop to it I’ll make sure you get your donuts.” She said and looked both amused and insulted that a small town cop like him thought he could solve a case that had vexed them for so long.

-”What does that mean?” Dillinger asked as Henry’s eyes shone after Dex returned with the details from the restaurants and food stalls. -”Check your pocket.” Henry said and leaned back, instinctively pulling his package of cigarettes from his pocket, then realized it probably wasn’t allowed in here despite the size.Dillinger put her hand in her pocket and took out the small note from Henry’s notepad that he had written on earlier during the bet. She looked at it and gave him a questioning look. -”How does this prove anything?” She asked annoyed.-”Most owners weren’t sure, that Italian place is clearly just trying to get some money from the insurance company. But, the people who were certain had three main items missing. Hot dogs, peanut butter and marshmallows.” He gestured with his hands like the game show hosts on TV did to indicate it was all over.-”Let me get this straight.” Dillinger started, looking at the note and taking in what he just said. “I am to believe that Goblims are stealing from the mall?” She looked amused. “Also, isn’t it spelled with a N?”-”No, that’s an entirely different thing.” He said and waved the remark away. “Some month back the new mayor made sure we had a contingency plan for Goblim attacks, at first we thought it was crazy but then they started showing up..” He said offended at the ridicule.-”And that’s around the same time the burglary started…” Dillinger started, realizing her error in dismissing the answer.-”To make it clearer, everytime they do show up, marshmallows and hot dogs are always missing.” Henry finished, earning him a far more favourable expression from Dillinger.-”Say that you are correct, this hypothesis of yours. How do we prove it? And how do we stop it?-”Monocles.” -”Monocles?”-”Yeah, they only have one eye. If we offer them a large supply of monocles they are bound to take ‘em. A lot of them have poor seeing after all, poor inbred fools.”-”Wouldn’t it make more sense to use contact lenses then? Like, different colours and such?” Dillinger suggested, nearly making Henry fall of the bench, it was a brilliant idea after all. And contact lenses were far cheaper than monocles these days. -”Let’s do that.”

-”I still can’t believe you were right.” Dillinger said and shook her head at the green, knee height goblims stuck in their trap. Some teenagers passing by the mall threw a beer bottle at the goblims which made the entire gang laugh heartily. Henry couldn’t really get used to that kind of behaviour but he was proud enough of their success.-”I think we can share the protocol we have for these kind of things with you as long as your captain asks.”-”Captain Berger can be difficult at times but I’ll do my best to convince him.” Dillinger looked troubled for a moment.-”I don’t suppose goblims can be responsible for missing kids right?” She asked carefully and in a hushed voice.-”No, they are not as far as I know. Although people in Spring Valley tend to spread that rumour. That is something else.” He said troubled, thinking back on all those parents filing missing person reports.-”I see… That is the department’s number one priority at the moment, especially since Stahlmann’s son went missing.”-”The factory owner? I can see how that would influence the force to take more action.”-”Yeah, that’s partly why we asked your precinct for assistance with this matter.” She looked at the green creatures in the net with an intense look.“I just hope it doesn’t have anything to do with the latest urban myth about some guy in a hoodie prowling the streets at night.” She said and shook her head and greeting the officers pulling over to take the goblims away. -”Do you know who it is?” Henry asked curiously, reports like that had started in Spring Valley as well. -”I’m afraid not, although the name used on the streets is the Hoodlum, the kids stay away. But we have no reports on crime connected to him yet.”Henry was in deep troubled thought for a moment, thinking about some of his earlier cases and what this all could mean. Goblims, Hoodies, Arcane powers, Dogs and cats.-”Want me to follow you to the bus station?” Dillinger inquired as he seemed lost, he hadn’t taken a drag of his cigarette for a long time. -”No, I’m good. Just remember, donuts to captain Bieler and a thank you-note.” He said and grinned while shaking her hand in goodbye.-”You have my word.”

The sun was coming down, the stars dimmed by the electric light of the city. The sound of dogs barking were growing less frequent and the last workers were coming home to their families.

Greyspire City started off as a small sleepy industrial town that grew when the war came. Now nearly everyone worked in its factories, even people from Spring Valley and Neon City Hub. Thomas Jensen was just one of many teenagers living in Greyspire, craving the love of an absent father who rather spent time at the pub than with his son. But he had his friends, people who would back him up no matter what.

Jones, their boss, had called a meeting and Thomas was going, he knew his parents didn’t want him to be out late so he snuck out. Why should he follow the rules of those two? It wasn’t like they were model citizens or anything. And yet they tried to set all those rules about how he should live his life, he wasn’t having any of that. Most of the times he just lied about it but other times he would tell it to their faces. He felt that it was good to have friends around to give support. Parents never understood.

He listened at the door, the sound of the television from downstair told him the coast was clear, his parents had probably downed their first drinks for the evening, and they never cared about him after that. He went over to the window and slid it open, crawling out to reach the tree beside his house. He could spot some of his friends already just outside his fence, some his age some older, like Jones.

-”****ing finally.” Terry said as Thomas came walking. His mohawk an example to all of them. -”Didn’t want to trigger no alarms.” Thomas said giving Terry and his boys his best grin.-”Dude, it’s past eight, we rule these streets now.” Ian said and punched Thomas on the shoulder. They always did that, punching, sweeping the leg or slapping each other in the face. That’s was normal to Thomas.. -”Let’s get going already, Jones gonna be pissed if we arrive last” Terry said, already with his back turned against Thomas. -”Yeah, don’t want him to make us hold the cans he’s shooting.” Ian added to Thomas and gave a short sprint and slapped the top of Terry’s mohawk. Thomas laughed, caught up with them and they walked together in a group of four towards the elementary school.-”So how was your date last night Thomas?” Ian asked, grabbing his shoulder in a friendly way. -”Well…” Thomas began and felt himself blushing. “Didn’t work out as expected. Probably not asking her out again.”He watched the three friends grin but they were quick to give him some condolences. -”Maybe you’ll meet someone feisty at the game this Sunday.” Terry told Thomas, but Thomas knew that the only people coming home with dates from the games were the players. Sure, Thomas and his friends were part of a gang, but no one liked the rich kids. Spoiled brats who flaunted their wealth as often as Ian flaunted his junk. -”Don’t rush it man, you keep hanging with us and something good will show up, you dig?” Ian said taking a sip of a beer and offering it to Thomas. -”You’re right, who needs chicks right?” Thomas said, and tried to put on a brave face. They kept walking the remainder of the streets doing small talk, the kind of small talk that friends would take their time to listen to unlike parents.

-”Listen up dudes.” Jones began, Thomas stood at the back but could see him standing at the top of the climbing pyramid. “Y’know we’re the coolest punks in this town.” The crowd of twenty odd people cheered in reply. These were his brothers in arm, tennagers of different ages, some rougher than others. Mohawks, piercings and tattoos were the rage right now and Thomas was aiming for the latter. -”So it’s time that we show the other gangs that we rule these streets.” He said and obscenely grabbed his crotch. The crowd roared once more. Thomas loved that, it was such a mature gesture. -”Now, we know that Leo and Brad and some of the other losers are holed up talking smack about us.” Thomas watched as Jones flung his arm against the mall with one finger pointing, giving the wing. At the same time, beer and other alcohol was passed around the crowd. -”So what do you think about getting our gear on and smashing some kneecaps?” Thomas roared with the rest of them as Jones asked his final question. Thomas let himself get pulled in by the crowd, feeding of their energy and giving it back. No one would disrespect them, they would make sure of that. There had been armed fights previously but this was serious.-”****ing get your **** up front and we’ll get going, they’ll go crying like pussies to their mommas.” Everyone started to push by Thomas to get their hands on the baseball bats and iron bars. Thomas smiled, today would be a good night.

-”I think they are up ahead.” Ian whispered as he scrambled back to the boys waiting.Thomas and many others were ready to storm the place right away but Jones had sent someone ahead to scout it.-”Alright, let’s beat them up and grab their stuff. We know they collect most of the money from Spring Valley’s pansies after all.” Terry replied close to Thomas and spun his crowbar around like a rad samurai. As the signal was given, they all scrambled to their feet, following Jones the last paces before the building. As a collective unit they moved, some practicing swings at nearby trash cans to mark their coming, other woofing or howling to add to the mood. Thomas kept up, having a nailed board himself, he wasn’t as crazy as the rest of them but wished that he was. He didn’t see the door being kicked in but heard the sound of the metal giving way to his strong brothers in arm. In front he could see Jones flanked by two of their biggest. He motioned to them to spread out in the room, closing of the exits, the warehouse lit up by a burning barrel and several people hanging around on mattresses and sofas stored around it. Thomas followed Ian and Terry like always, watching as Jones approached the other gang who were hiding away like cowards. There was an exchange of words, too muffled for Thomas to hear but he imaged that Jones said something real sassy and cool to Leo who cried like a baby. Leo and his gang weren’t as punky as Jones’, but they put up a good fight and had harassed some of their younger members outside school some weeks back. Leo, their leader pulled his fingers through his hair and gave some signal. He could feel the tension and see it on Terry and Ian both, their breaths stinking of cheap vodka. He wished he had taken some himself, these seconds before a fight were always nerve wrenching.

Thomas could hear the exchange of words between Jones and Leo heating up, Leo’s gang spreading out in a circle themselves and arming themselves with what they had stashed around there. It was almost time, his legs started shaking, the adrenaline coursing through his body. He saw Terry literally having to be held back by Ian after and insult about his mother. Then all of a sudden there was a yell and the commotion started. No more holding back.

Thomas rushed towards the camp with Ian and Terry to face the deadbeats who dared oppose Jones. Terry’s crowbar slammed into the side of their first opponent, Ian followed up with a haymaker punch to the jaw, the sound of metal hitting bone before the sound of the body hitting concrete floor. Thomas aimed his own weapon against a second opponent as she attacked Ian from the side, the nailed board slashed across her back, tearing into her skin enough to draw blood. She stumbled but got up and whipped a chain at his face before he could regain his balance; it felt like the cold metal encased his head and he stumbled backwards and hit the floor. The shouts and clangs remained for a moment as the light faded, then that blurred into nothingness as well.

Thomas awoke with a start, a scream like he had never heard before woke him up. He saw Ian clutching his arm, it was disjointed at the elbow and hanging limp. His head hurt tremendously and the sight made him want to vomit. But he held it in and tried to get to his feet but stumbled back down. As he looked up he saw Leo standing amongst his gang, the light must’ve been playing tricks because they all looked so pale, and there was something off about them. Thomas couldn’t believe his eyes; Jones was down on his knees in front of Leo, his beefy arms held back by one of Leo’s goons. His hearing wasn’t quite right but he heard something about darkness, about power and sacrifice. Jones tensed up and fell to the floor as he was released, it was like electricity was shooting through his body by the way he spasmed. Then he rose suddenly, only that it looked like he was a puppet pulled on strings. His head was aching and he couldn’t hold back his vomit as he saw Jones swaying back and forth, like he was wrestling for control of his own body.Thomas was suddenly shocked by Ian screaming close to him again, reminding him of the pickle they were in. But just as he reached out to help Ian a thrown sofa crashed into his friend and knocked him back. He looked up to see Leo walking towards him, his face was blank and pale. Like a monster from a movie.

His legs wouldn't carry him as tried to crawl back, the eyes of everyone else in the room turned towards him, and he realized, even if their backs were facing him.-”You have a choice weakling.” Leo said as he hunched down in front of him, a wide grin on his cold face. Thomas tried to say something but couldn’t, Leo reached out and grabbed his collar, pulling him closer. He had a terrible grin on his face, like this was the most hilarious thing in the world. He let go of the collar and grabbed his arm, his grip like a gorilla. -”You losers came here for a fight, I have to thank you for that. I didn’t know I had this in me. But now you need to choose, do you want to be strong? Or do you want to end up like your weak friend?” Leo said, his voice strange as he motioned towards the wall behind Thomas. -”Don’t bother, he was always weak.” Another person said behind Leo, it was Terry, his mohawk slumped and leaving a trail of hair behind him as it fell from his pale face.Thomas couldn’t believe that his friend would say that, or that he too would become this thing. But then, even Jones seemed to be on their side. -”Luckily that doesn’t matter much to my master.” Leo continued, the grin still engraved on his face. “As long as you are willing to give everything you are, you could have power.” Thomas gasped for air as Leo’s grip tightened and he lifted him onto his feet with a single arm. -”Submit Thomas.” Terry said behind Leo, an arm weirdly indicated the direction of Ian. Thomas gulped as he turned his head and saw Ian’s body limp like a rag draped across the dumpster at the wall, sofa crashed beside it. -”I don’t care which you choose to be honest but make your choice ‘cuz I got **** to do.” Leo said, still grinning with his hair falling off his skull.Thomas nodded, and felt everything he was cease to be.

Getting close to the end, I hope everyone is enjoying the summer. Gonna compile this into a pdf or something later. Also check out the stories on our itch page to see more sprites from Momeka. Also, feel free to drop a comment about the game there. https://charas-project.itch.io/mystery-of-spring-valley

On the interwebs

Best Burgers

Dear reader, I’ve found the most amazing burger joint in Greyspire City! I promise! This place has burgers to die for! The sweet buns, the amazingly fresh and crispy lettuce and tomatoes. Man, even the dressing is spicy and smooth at the same time. The waitress suggested fries and onion rings, done and done. Just delicious. They even had a vego special, but the waitress let me in on the secret that they actually never stock the ingredients, they just have it on the menu.

I never expected this industry town to offer such fine dishes. Although people seemed a bit worried about something. Apparently something called the Shifting Alley, that lies between this town and that of Spring Valley is starting to spawn things in town as well. They say it’s probably Spring Valley’s fault, since they are the ones who’ve had problems with this before. But hey, don’t let that stop you, get here and eat some burgers man!

The Neon City Hoax

The news are lying to us! Remember when the government and the news told us about a Gryphe attacking Neon City Hub? Well I have proof that it was all fake and just an attempt by the mayor and the CEO of Private Security Corps!!

No one really saw the creature and the pictures we do have look like they’ve been manipulated. An expert on avians contacted me earlier and told me that the so called gryphe on the main page was nothing but an Anas Plathy.The city and Private Security Corps signed a deal just hours after the alleged attack, this is obviously a set up to enforce a totalitarian rule under the mayor. The mayor knew the president of the company from before, they both went to Neo Zokrates High as this yearbook will prove.

It is clear that the news article was faked! There was no Gryphe in Neon City Hub! That weird stuff only happens in Spring Valley. We all know how simple and lame the people of Spring Valley are, the mayor is trying to do the same to us. This is what all those teenagers in the other cities figured out! That we are all slaves to the system! All our free-thinking and creative peers! The government is kidnapping us, men in black vans and sunglasses! Mark my word! We will be next unless we rise up and expose the oppression of the state!

Moosetrooper 10Ever wanted to be a moose on a rampage? Ever wanted to perform brutal overkill attacks and watch gore splash from the heads of your opponents? Of course you do! And we have just the game for you!

From the creators of Moosetroop 6, 7 and 8 comes Moosetroop 10, the latest installment in a long tradition of games. The creators remedied the utter failure that was Moosetroop 9 and went back to the roots that made the series the success it is. The old composer James B, who pushed the video game music to where it is today, is likewise back and delivers yet another kickass soundtrack like never before.

The player is once again put in the hooved boots of Sgt. Moose, the trooper we all love and know. As the game starts you are introduced to all the mechanics from the previous games, the tactical espionage action and the frontal charging full out shooting. Familiar characters from earlier games like General Momeka, Captain Fishson, Dr.Donut and Private Purple all return and give their usual banter. But just as you finish the tutorial level you realize that something bigger is going on and the developers drop a bomb bigger than the bloodlust of Sgt. Moose.

What is that secret you ask? You’ll just have to play and see, but rumours say that an eleventh game is in the making, and for someone who finished the tenth game I wonder how the story will play out. Without spoiling too much, let’s just see it’s gonna be one hell of a day for whoever crosses Moose’s path.

<AndRAD87> Hey dudes what’s up with SA lately? I saw the cops put up blockades on main street. <AndRAD87> Sure I get that there’s like lots of weird crap showing up but what the hell man? <St3ve> w8 a sec<St3ve> Ya its closed<AndRAD87> Now where am I supposed to find rad gear?<St3ve> Get a job m8<IxionLuv>**** this is all the mayor’s fault, that hag sure is ruining this town. She’s only doing this to cover her own *** right? <IxionLuv> First the goblims and now this? Stupid mayors<St3ve> LOL<Nancy> Dad says safety reasons.<IxionLuv> LOL<AndRAD87> What’s next? Moving the town?<IxionLuv> The mayor should deal with that **** before it gets out of hand. <St3ve> Maybe thats y she angered the goblims<Nancy> It’s not right to steal the forest from them, they are living feeling beings as well.<AndRAD87> Give it a rest<IxionLuv> STFU<AndRAD87> No u<IxionLuv> LOL<IxionLuv> Meant her<AndRAD87> Oh<St3ve> Sumthin is up<IxionLuv> <AndRAD87>What?<St3ve> NVM<St3ve> Just sum cops doin a hit<Nancy> But don’t you live in the nice part?<IxionLuv> LOL<St3ve> Sure<St3ve> Probably just skipped taxes<AndRAD87> Or some perv?<IxionLuv> LOL no<IxionLuv> Thats ur mom<AndRAD87> STFU<AndRAD87> I hate you<AndRAD87> **** now you made my dad get all upset with me